The publication of the Décret d'autorisation de création constitutes a major step forward for the ITER project. It comes as a result of two-and-a-half years of hard work, both on the part of the ITER Organization and on the part of French authorities. The Demande d'autorisation de création (or DAC files) for ITER - nearly 6,000 pages of in-depth description of the design and operational conditions of ITER - was submitted to the French authorities in March 2010. The files underwent a thorough examination by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), environmental authorities and groups of independent experts. A Public Enquiry was organized between 15 June and 4 August 2011, allowing the public to formulate its opinion on the project. On 9 September, the Public Enquiry Commission issued a favourable Advisory Opinion for the pursuit of the licensing procedure.

The licensing of a nuclear installation is a long, complex and rigorous process. ITER is the first nuclear installation in France to observe the stringent requirements of the 2006 French law on Nuclear Transparency and Security. It is also the first time in worldwide history that the safety characteristics of a fusion device have undergone the rigorous scrutiny of a Nuclear Regulator to obtain nuclear licensing. ITER has achieved an important landmark in fusion history.

ITER Director-General Osamu Motojima issued the following statement:

Step by step, over the past two and a half years, we've been progressing toward an essential milestone in the history of our project. This milestone has now been achieved: two days ago, on Saturday 10 November, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault signed the official decree that authorizes the ITER Organization to create the Installation nucleaire de base (INB) ITER.

This long-awaited document is the culmination of a tremendous amount of work, both on our side and on that of the French authorities. For the past 30 months, our project has been scrutinized by different groups and committees, submitted to the analysis of several boards of experts, and also to the public's judgment. Every nut and bolt of the ITER machine, as well as its operational objectives, have has been closely examined. These procedures were no mere formalities -- they were long, complex and demanding. They were also indispensable, both from a regulatory point of view and because of the responsibility that is ours: as ITER is the first fusion device that qualifies as a nuclear installation, we had to explore largely uncharted territory.

This landmark decree comes as just reward for our rigorous consideration of safety and environmental issues. It is a reward for the ITER Safety, Quality & Security Department (and, more specifically, to its Licensing Cell); a reward for the Department for the ITER Project; but it is also a reward for each and every one of us. Whether directly involved or not, we all contributed to this success and I want to thank you all, whatever your position or responsibility within the ITER Organization.

We have worked constructively with the French authorities and will continue to do so throughout the duration of ITER's lifetime. As demonstrated throughout the past 30 months, ours is an uncompromising but trusting relationship, one that is based on a strong engagement from ITER.

We never doubted the validity of our project. ITER safety has now been confirmed by a large body of outside, independent experts. This is indeed a great day for ITER.